It completely baffles me that people are still trying to decide what a woman should do with her body. Why are they even revisiting that case? It’s scary that they can do that because that means they could even overrule other cases like Brown v. Board of Education. It’s scary. I feel like we’re going back in time. The video “Abortion Helpline, This is Lisa” was heartbreaking. I wanted to cry for all those women that didn’t have enough for an abortion. The irony is that the vast majority of men who vote against abortion are frequently quick to force abortions on others. like mistresses, for example. They wouldn’t want to be caught in the scandal, or oftentimes, they don’t want their wives to find out. So they send these mistresses to get an abortion and they foot the bill for it. I’ve always been pro-choice because that’s what I believe in. And circling back to what Bell Hooks said, “If feminism is a movement to end sexist oppression, and depriving females of reproductive rights is a form of sexist oppression, then one cannot be anti-choice and be feminist.” I agree because how could one be a feminist but agree to take away a woman’s right to her body? It defeats the purpose of calling yourself a feminist.
Abortions are needed. Some women aren’t physically or mentally stable enough to have a child. And don’t get me started on lifestyles. Some women are in domestic violence relationships, and having a baby would further complicate the situation. For example, Michael Apted’s “Enough”. It has Jennifer Lopez in it. I watched that film years ago with my mom. It was about a woman in a domestically abusive relationship who tries to protect herself and her daughter. I can imagine leaving an abusive relationship would be a lot more complicated if a child were involved. Something I’ve always heard when asking people why they were against abortions was that “abortions are selfish.” I think it’s the opposite. The decision to have an abortion is a difficult one, and many women make it because they know it would be wrong to have a child knowing you couldn’t provide for them or provide a stable life for them. It would be selfish to have children when you know you can’t care for them and lead them into a life of suffering. On a lighter note, this topic reminded me of a Seinfeld episode where abortion was the main topic. One of the main characters, Elaine, is pro-choice and decides that she won’t support anyone that is against a woman’s right to an abortion. The episode is timeless. Especially the pizza debate between Papi and Kramer, which was obviously about abortions. Anyway, I think the fact that our bodies are still up for debate has shown that we really haven’t made as much progress as we thought we had. I feel helpless. Especially after hearing that the Democrats lost today while trying to codify Roe v. Wade. Things are changing and it makes me scared of the decision that’s to come. Lives will be changed forever if they overturn it.
This is a clip from the debate. : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lOG3rD5CrQ
** It’s kind of blurry but you can watch the full episode on Netflix
Well written discussion Ashanti and I like how you brought up the fact about how difficult it is for women to make the decision and also surrounded your discussion with other factors as well.
I agree with all that you wrote about the various reasons a woman might choose to have an abortion. I also think it’s important to add that many women who are already mothers, and in supportive relationships, might choose to have an abortion to enable them to provide the best life they can to the children they already have. Reiterating some of what I wrote in my post, I think it’s incredible how one side is so singular in their focus on the fetus, and so lacking in consideration for all the many ways this affects women. There are so many scenarios in which a woman might choose abortion, and all of them are valid. I think the anti-choice side feels they have it all covered with crisis pregnancy centers (shown in the “Abortion Divide” video), but those centers do not come anywhere close to addressing the issues women face in forced pregnancy.
i loved reading your post! You made such valid points. When a woman decides what to do with her body and the reasons why shes deciding to go that route, that is her Choice! The amerian goverment only cares about having future labor workers period.
I enjoy reading your post. I agree with everything you say in the discussion and I agree even agree that if they overturn roe v wade, they can overturn over laws as well. It’s scary that they can overturn other laws not only roe v wade.
I agree with you that once the government overturn Roe v. Wade laws, the Government has the ability to overturn any laws which is a scary thought.
Hi Ashanti, I agree with you about certain women aren’t capable of having a baby.There are different circumstance that a women can’t be completely committed. The choice should always be held by the women that is pregnant and no one else.